Page 4 of The Riders’ Reign

2

CAMILE

The air is punched out of my lungs and my knees buckle.

Ace notices and he catches me before I fall.

Jack shot, Ghost gone.

No, no, no. This can’t be happening.

I feel like I can’t breathe. Is he dead? Is Jack dead? And what about Ghost? What’s happened to him? Where is he? Is he still alive?

These thoughts tumble through my head all at once, so I can’t make sense of them, or bring my mouth to form the words. I cling to Ace’s forearm, trying to stop the world from spinning. Utter terror fills my chest at the possibility of Jack and Ghost no longer being a part of this world.

It suddenly dawns on me that Jack and Ghost aren’t the only ones to worry about. Rook is covered in blood, and I don’t know where it’s coming from.

My brain starts up again, as if it’s a system that has come back online. I find strength in my legs to stand upright and let go of Ace’s arm.

“Oh, my God, Rook. Are you hurt?” I rush to him. “You’re covered in blood.”

He looks down at himself as if only just realizing it. “Jack’s,” he says in a monotone. “It’s Jack’s. I’m just sore.” He indicates to two men who seem in a bad way. “We wiped out, oil on the road. Some of the men are hurt.”

My head spins again. Oh, no. Oh, God no.

“Fuck.” Ace is pale next to me.

“Is he dead?” My words are hoarse whispers. “Is Jack dead, Rook?”

“No.” He shakes his head. “It’s bad, but he’s alive.”

Relief surges through me. He’s alive. He’s alive.

Rook continues. “He’s been medevacked to the hospital. The paramedics on scene said he needs surgery. That’s good, right? They only do surgery if they can save you.”

Rook is scaring me because he seems to be trying to convince himself.

“Listen, we need to get a war room convened now,” Saul says. “The injured men need to be looked at, either here, or taken to a clinic. But we can’t stand around talking out here.”

I become aware of all the other bikers standing around us, a few of them leaning on their friends for support. For a moment, it had only been me and Ace and Rook, trapped in a bubble of the possibility that we’d lost two of our own. But now I see how much bigger this is. The whole club is involved.

Saul is president right now, I guess. If Ghost were here… but then I remember Rook said he’s been taken.

“What happened to Ghost?” I take hold of Rook’s hands and look up at him imploringly. “You say they took him. Where? Who?”

“They grabbed him and pushed him into one of their cars and drove off. We were taken by surprise. There was oil on the road. I memorized the plate, so we can try to track them down.”

“Okay, let’s wrap this up right the fuck now.” Phoenix steps forward, calm and in control despite what he’s just been through. “Ace, Rook, Big Mike, Saul, and Zoo. Let’s call Church. Just us, though.”

“And me,” I say quietly.

Phoenix scoffs. “Lady, absolutely not. You’re the entire fucking reason for this, if my suspicions are correct.”

I flinch at his words but stand my ground. “Exactly why I should be in the room.”

“I want her there,” Rook says.

Saul looks to Phoenix and shakes his head.